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At least 460 manufacturers across seven Midwestern states could benefit from new business that would come from high-speed rail routes being built out of Chicago, the Environmental Law & Policy Center said in a report last week. "What we're seeing is that old-line Rust Belt manufacturers are making the equipment for modern new railcars," said the group's director, Howard Learner. "It shows that the federal investment in high-speed rail modernization is good for manufacturing jobs, good for economic growth and good for the environment," he added.

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The California High-Speed Rail Authority has decided to start building the $64 billion high-speed rail line from a north spur at San Jose near San Francisco instead of from the south near Los Angeles, but it will invest $2 billion in upgrades to the existing rail network in the southern part of the state. Those projects could begin this year.

Engineers at the California High-Speed Rail Authority used explosives test a concrete piling for the high-speed rail line. Construction is about to begin on the 29-mile Fresno-to-Madera segment of the project. The explosion was designed to "test the design of structures that will form the foundation for a bridge and elevated tracks."

Investing in high-speed rail construction could be a significant driver of jobs and economic growth, according to a report from the American Public Transportation Association. The report suggests that every $1 billion invested in high-speed rail can sustain about 24,000 jobs. High-speed rail investment could be an economic boon to communities and states, the report notes.

Investing in high-speed rail construction could be a significant driver of jobs and economic growth, according to a report from the American Public Transportation Association. The report suggests that every $1 billion invested in high-speed rail can sustain about 24,000 jobs. High-speed rail investment could be an economic boon to communities and states, the report notes.

High-speed passenger rail service is a top transportation priority for President Barack Obama, according to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. LaHood's department has submitted a report to the White House that outlines at least six corridors for possible high-speed rail service. However, LaHood acknowledged that building a high-speed rail would exceed the $8 billion in rail funding provided in the economic-stimulus package.